Students at Atkins Elementary School are enjoying the great outdoors in their outdoor classroom, which has been partially funded through a Schoolyard Habitat grant from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.

According to Jackie Rooke, gifted and talented teacher, the third and fourth grade gifted and talented (GT) classes received the grant through the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission to start the Schoolyard Habitat Program in 2003.

The Schoolyard Habitat is an area at Atkins Elementary School where the students can watch and study wildlife, Rooke said. It's cared for by the third and fourth grade GT classes. The students are responsible for planting, watering and keeping up the habitat.

"It started slowly, with students bringing seeds and flowers from home," Rooke said. "After we received our money, we bought several benches, a picnic table, bird baths, and lots of flowers to make our habitat beautiful.

"All of my students absolutely love the project. They would work in the habitat every day, if I would let them. They have planted trees, plants, flowers, set up a picnic bench, birdfeeders, birdbaths, bird houses, etc., to attract wildlife of all kinds."

Other purchases included curriculum-related materials to be used in the classroom. In 2004, a patio and bleachers were added. The most recent addition to the outdoor classroom was donated by the school's PTO, which purchased a vinyl canopy to cover the patio and bleachers so students could enjoy the classroom - even if it's raining.

According to Rooke, the Schoolyard Habitat benefits students in many ways.

"We can go to the outdoor classroom to experience nature while working in any subject," Rooke said. "All classes have access to the habitat and are encouraged to use it for any outdoor learning activities or for enjoyment.

"Our outdoor classroom is a covered area in our habitat with bleachers and benches for the students to use. The term 'outdoor classroom' simply means that there is a lot of learning that can be done outside besides academics. Nature is a wonderful teacher."

The project also teaches students many valuable lessons and provides a unique place for teachers and students to learn, Rooke added.

"It is a wonderful place where students can go to relax and read, or where teachers can take their students to do projects," Rooke said. "It is important for students to realize how nature affects us and how we need to take care of it."

Rooke said the students are continually trying to add to the Schoolyard Habitat.

The gifted and talented students have raised money for the habitat by selling popcorn and lemonade in the springtime. Currently, they are having a used cell phone recycling fund-raiser.

"Teachers, administrators, the PTO, the maintenance staff and students have donated flowers, hard work and their time to make the outdoor classroom a wonderful place for all of us to enjoy," Rooke said. "I want to take this opportunity to thank each and everyone who has taken part in this project."